Fishermen protest new lobster restrictions

Thursday

Jul 31, 2014 at 1:01 AMJul 31, 2014 at 8:02 AM

Jessica Trufant The Patriot Ledger @JTrufant_Ledger

BOSTON – State legislators and members of the Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association gathered at the State House on Wednesday to voice concerns about new regulations banning the use of lobster trap and pot gear from Jan. 1 to April 30 off much of the state’s coast.

Part of the National Marine Fisheries Service’s new Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan, the new rules aim to eliminate endangered right, humpback and fin whale entanglements with lobster gear as required by the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act.

Along with restrictions on where and when lobster gear can be set, the regulations order changes to equipment, such as buoy markings and trap minimums. State officials and industry plan to challenge the plan.

The closure is the first-ever in the plan, said David Gouveia, acting assistant regional administrator of protected resources for the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration.

Scott Leddin, a Marshfield lobsterman who attended the rally, said the rules will hurt the lobster industry and related businesses – from bait retailers to fuel suppliers.

“We’re willing to work with these people, but it’s a big hit,” said Leddin, who explained that the industry has already moved to use breakaway buoys and other safety devices to protect whales.

State Rep. James Cantwell, a Marshfield Democrat, said the event was “phenomenally helpful,” as more than 100 local fishermen voiced to state officials the tremendous pressure the federal regulations will put on the lobster industry.

“We have bipartisan support for a resolution to have the federal government change regulations,” Cantwell said, calling the proposal “arbitrary and unrealistic.”

While protecting whales is mandated and part of public policy up and down the East Coast, Cantwell said the fishermen in Stellwagen Bank will feel the brunt of the new plan. For example, he said the waters off the coasts of New Hampshire and Maine are not subject to the same closure.

While only about 200 right whales remained two decades ago, federal data shows the population has since more than doubled. Cantwell said data shows the existing regulations are effective.

“It seems the new regulations are quite draconian and are being proposed without a corresponding public policy based on facts,” he said.

Cantwell said the South Shore delegation is working with federal officials to propose amended regulations, such as allowing a 1-mile fishing area off the coast so that lobstermen can continue to work in January and February.

Emalie Gainey, deputy press secretary for state Attorney General Martha Coakley, said in an email that her office is aware of the concerns of the fishermen, but is not commenting on the plan at this time.